At D+S Distribution Inc., community service is more than something nice to do on an afternoon or weekend. It’s the way it does business.
The supply chain logistics business, based in Wooster and headed by CEO Bill DeRodes, has extended community service beyond the traditional definition of volunteerism and charitable giving to include economic development.
At a time in which communities throughout Northeast Ohio are challenged to retain current commerce and generate new business, D+S has taken vacant warehouses in Cleveland, Wooster and Columbus and given the buildings a new purpose.
As part of the company’s warehousing arm, D+S refurbishes existing, vacant manufacturing warehouses and old retail buildings, refitting them for modern warehousing operations.
The refurbished buildings bring some urban renewal — along with jobs — to their cities.
In addition to refurbishing buildings, D+S Distribution works closely with local economic development councils to seek out new business opportunities. Through these partnerships, D+S has brought overseas business to the area from countries such as Belgium, Sweden and Italy.
D+S provides support to international businesses looking to expand into the North American market. The company assists international businesses in securing governmental grants, permits, facilities, systems support and training.
The executive leadership team at D+S emphasizes the use of community resources in all facets of the company’s business. Supplemental vendor resources for supplies, services and governmental resources are deployed from the communities in which D+S operates. The company has a relationship of more than 15 years with the Nick Amster Workshop in Wooster, employing as many as 50 people at a time, providing packaging services for other customers. Currently, the Nick Amster Workshop, which provides employment opportunities to adults with disabilities, has all of its offices plus 300 associates based in the D+S Wooster industrial center, performing work for D+S and a variety of other area businesses.
D+S supports a number of other community efforts, such as Meals on Wheels, the Ohio Light Opera, Wayne Center for the Arts and Habitat for Humanity. The resources that D+S provides to these community efforts include employee time, volunteer hours, transportation, and storage of supplies and props. Many of the company’s employees volunteer their time outside of work to these community causes, as well.
How to reach: D+S Distribution Inc., (330) 264-7400 or www.dsdistribution.com